NEEDHAM, Mass., Apr. 29, 2025 – Sales through distribution in North America posted a second consecutive quarter of growth in the first quarter of 2025. Distributor Revenues came in at $19.9B which is a 7.6% increase year-over-year, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) North America Distribution Tracker (NADT). Personal Computing grew 27.8% year-over-year, far exceeding expectations, while Software came in with a solid 13.2% year-over-year growth.
“The primary catalyst for the growth in personal computing devices was the heightened uncertainty around tariff negotiations between the USA and trading partners.” said Ruth Flynn, research vice president, IDC Tracker & Data Products. “Despite risks to economic growth from rising tariffs, channels and commercial segments accelerated buying ahead of future cost increases.”
Other product categories were stable, with revenue up or down roughly a percent. Services had a modest year-over-year decline of -1.6% in 2025Q1, Network Infrastructure grew 1% year-over-year and AV rounded out the top five product categories with a small year-over-year decline of -0.9%.
The personal computing product group recorded $4.07B in sales in 2025Q1 with most form factors enjoying double digit growth. Detachable Tablets were the exception, declining -5.4% year-over-year. Notebooks grew 26.9% year-over-year, Desktops grew 35.3% year-over-year and Workstations grew 49.3% year-over-year, as the channel scrambled to pull in as much product as possible before potential reciprocal tariffs are implemented. It is unclear how long these elevated sales levels will persist, and market contraction should be expected in the second half of 2025.
Software sales, which are not impacted by tariffs, continue to be very strong through distribution, coming in at $4.5B. The top three categories, Storage Software, Security Software and Physical and Virtual Computing Software each grew by double digits. These categories all roll up into the System Infrastructure Software market, which accounted for over 55% of software sales in 2025Q1.
IDC’s North America Weekly Distribution Tracker and North America Monthly Distribution Tracker are built on the exclusive partnership between IDC and the Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC) and provides the industry’s most comprehensive view of technology distribution data and market trends in the U.S. and Canada. The data in these Trackers is actual sales data collected weekly from sales receipts across the largest distributors in North America for more than 1,000 brands over several years. This data is mapped to IDC’s taxonomy with over 200 categories organized into 13 distinct product groups with detailed product attributes across categories.
For more information about the North America Weekly and Monthly Distribution Trackers, powered by GTDC, please contact Ruth Flynn at rflynn@idc.com.
About IDC Trackers
IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size and segmentation, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC’s Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, monthly, and weekly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly Excel deliverables and on-line query tools.
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About IDC
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC’s analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world’s leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights.
About the GTDC
The Global Technology Distribution Council is the industry consortium representing the world’s leading tech distributors. GTDC members drive an estimated $150 billion in annual worldwide sales of products, services, and solutions through diverse business channels. GTDC conferences support the development and expansion of strategic supply-chain partnerships that continually address the fast-changing marketplace needs of vendors, end customers, and distributors.